With a new COVID-19 vaccination site opening in Whitby, some members of Brock Township council aren’t exactly impressed with the decision to postpone clinics in North Durham.
The Durham Region Health Department announced Friday (March 12) that planned clinics in Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge (as well as Ajax) would be temporarily delayed due to a lack of supply.
But with four sites now up and running – in Clarington, Oshawa, Whitby and Pickering – some members of council are adamant that at least one should be offered in North Durham.
“It’s very unfortunate that the opening of the vaccination center in Brock has been delayed,” said Ward 1 Councillor Mike Jubb.
“At the very minimum, I believe one center should be opened in North Durham. I do understand there is a vaccine shortage, however, I believe we need to be fair to all residents of Durham Region.”
Ward 3 Councillor Walter Schummer agreed, saying the decision only perpetuates the isolation felt by many North Durham residents when it comes to services offered by the Region.
“I would agree that there should be one in the north if we already have one in the south. It’s already been explained if there is excess supply in the north after vaccinating the current age group that the excess could go south,” he said.
“It was quite disappointing to see that all of the clinics in North Durham have been postponed. While I realize that this decision was a result of a vaccine shortage, it would certainly have been great to have at least one clinic operating in the north,” added Regional Councillor Ted Smith.
“Having said that, I have nothing but admiration and respect for the staff of the Durham Region Health Department for the great job that they have been doing during the pandemic. I know that they wouldn’t have made this decision lightly and of course they have no control over the amount of vaccine that Durham is allotted.”
Though Ward 2 Councillor Claire Doble said she understood the decision to offer clinics in more populated areas, “it would have been nice” to have had a clinic offered in one of the three northern communities.
